John Lace was an American public official and military officer during the American Revolutionary War.
Background
John Lace was born in Buckingham, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, of Quaker stock. His father was John Lacey, whose grandfather, William, came from the Isle of Wight with William Penn. His mother was Jane (Chapman) Lacey, whose father, Abraham, was the son of an original settler from England.
Education
Lacey attended a country school and always regretted his inadequate education.
Career
At fourteen Lacey began work in his father's grist mill. The chief event of his youth was a trip with his great-uncle in 1773 to visit the Indians at "New Commers Town, " beyond Pittsburgh.
In 1775, as the Revolution approached, he warmly espoused the American cause, and despite disownment by the Quakers in February 1776, and opposition from family and friends, he held to his course with tenacity. He was commissioned captain (January 5, 1776), raised a company in Bucks County, and took part in the Canadian campaign of that year as captain in the 4th Regiment of the Pennsylvania line, returning home in December.
On March 22, 1777, he was appointed sub-lieutenant in Bucks County, a civil position for organizing men and supplies, and on May 6 was appointed lieutenant-colonel of militia. He took part in fighting near Gulf Mills Road in November 1777. On January 9, 1778, he was offered the appointment of brigadier-general (at the age of twenty-three) and accepted, at a time when the cause of the Americans was at its lowest and many were withdrawing from the army. Though he sometimes had as few as sixty men under him, he was energetic in his efforts to check the Loyalists and prevent British raids in the country north of Philadelphia. At Crooked Billet, May 1, 1778, he was surprised by the enemy, but succeeded in extricating himself.
On May 11 he turned over his command to General Potter and on June 5, returned to his home. He continued as sub-lieutenant, and was appointed commissioner of confiscated estates for Bucks County. In August 1780, he resumed command of the militia called for service because of a threatened British attack, and in the fall of 1781, he was again in command of the militia until the British surrendered at Yorktown.
He was elected to the Assembly from Bucks County in October 1778. In October 1779 he was elected to the Supreme Executive Council for three years, and served except for the periods of 1780 and 1781 when he was in command of the militia.
In the election of October 1781 he marched the militia in military formation to the polls. This action resulted in charges against him of undue influence over the soldiers and intimidation of the populace. After long consideration, however, the Council decided (in March 1782) that the proceedings had been proper and the election was confirmed. Lacey's action was much condemned but was also strongly supported by his party.
In 1782 he moved to New Mills, and engaged in iron manufacturing with his father-in-law. He held a place of prominence in the community, was elected justice of the peace, and member of the state Assembly in 1801. His positive character continued to make enemies, however, and his impeachment as justice was narrowly averted. He died at New Mills (now Pemberton), in his sixtieth year.
Achievements
Politics
In politics, Lacey was a vigorous and energetic partisan, opposing not only the Loyalists but also (as a Democrat, or "Constitutionalist") the aristocratic party called Republicans.
Personality
Lacey was of a type the Revolution brought forth, an unlettered man of natural abilities, energetic but far from tactful, needed in time of war to consolidate the patriots and crush the opposition.
Connections
On January 18, 1781, Lacey married Anastasia Reynolds, daughter of Colonel Thomas Reynolds of New Mills, now Pemberton, New Jersey. Four children were born to them.